PMA Data Watch: Memory card purchasing among U.S. households
According to the PMA 2010 U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, the majority of memory cards purchased in 2009 were purchased from discount stores and electronics stores. Forty-one percent were purchased at discount stores in 2009, up from 36 percent in the year prior. Electronics stores lost share as 20 percent of units were purchased there in 2009 as opposed to 22 percent in the previous year. The remaining units were purchased over the Internet, at office supply stores, camera stores, warehouse clubs, computer stores and by other means.
Small memory cards are becoming a thing of the past as nearly half of memory cards purchased in 2009 were 4 GB or more. Only 5 percent of memory cards were 256 MB compared to 85 percent back in 2004. The majority of memory cards purchased through any of the various distribution channels were the 4 GB or more cards. Office supply stores, however, were most likely to sell 2 GB memory cards.
In many cases the memory cards come with a camera purchase. Smaller cards are more likely to come with the camera purchase as nearly half (49 percent) of 256 MB cards came with a camera. Eighteen percent of 4 GB memory cards came with a camera purchase and 23 percent of 8 GB or more cards did.
PMA Data Watch: Uploading activity in the Flickr community
The popular photo sharing site Flickr incorporates a feature allowing users to get the scoop on the most popular camera models and camera phone models being used to upload photos in the Flickr community. Popularity is determined by tracking the number of users, as well as, the number of images uploaded on any given day with each of the models. The Apple iPhone is by far the most popular camera phone model, as it has been for quite some time now when PMA Marketing Research has surveyed the site. In fact, the Apple iPhone 3G takes first place and the Apple iPhone 3GS takes a distant second. Following in order of popularity are the Nokia N95, BlackBerry Tour 9630, and the BlackBerry Curve 9330.
On January 28, 2010, there were 24,563 items uploaded on Flickr from the popular Apple iPhone and there were 3,887 users. Numbers continued to climb with 5,477 users and 30,260 items uploaded on April 30, 2010. The number of pictures uploaded per user, however, dropped for this particular model compared to January. The Apple iPhone 3GS, coming in second in terms of popularity, contributed 17,002 items and 1,816 users on April 30. Users of this model uploaded more items than users of the iPhone 3G.
The number of items being uploaded each day from each of the iPhone models exceeds the number of items being uploaded from the most popular point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS. Users of this popular compact camera, however, upload more items than users of the iconic iPhones.
The total number of items uploaded on the above mentioned day in January from the top five camera phones totaled 42,550 items. By April 30, however, that number had grown to 52,562 items and 90 percent of the items were uploaded from one of the iPhone models. Users totaled 8,258 in April, up from 8,034 in January. This data indicates that on the given day back in January each user uploaded, on average, 5.3 items, growing to 6.4 items per user on the above mentioned day in April.
For more information on the models mentioned above and more visit the Camera Finder page on the Flickr website.
PMA Data Watch: Photo card creation by U.S. households
According to the PMA 2010 U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, 11 percent of U.S. households made/ordered photo cards in 2009. This includes holiday cards, greeting cards, invitation cards, announcement cards and business cards with photos. Households that made photo cards were most likely to order them online, with 32 percent ordering online and later picking up at the local retailer and 30 percent ordering online and having them shipped to the home. Twenty-two percent of households brought the memory card to the store to make cards and 20 percent made photo cards from their home computer printer.
For the most part, making photo cards did not have an effect on the number of standard 4-by-6 inch photo prints made since 84 percent of households said their printing behavior remained the same as a result of making photo cards. Eleven percent of households said they increased the number of standard prints they made and 5 percent said they decreased printing. Making photo cards lead 30 percent of households to decrease the amount of traditional cards and stationery they buy. Sixty percent said making photo cards did not affect their purchasing of these other items and 5 percent said it caused them to buy more traditional cards and stationery. Most households appear to be satisfied with the photo card creation process (90 percent). Eight percent of households were indifferent to the process and just 2 percent expressed some dissatisfaction.
PMA Data Watch: Picture sharing among U.S. households
According to the 2010 PMA U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, 24 percent of U.S. households use online social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, for sharing pictures. Nine percent of households use other online photo sites to share pictures. Females are more likely than males to use online social networking sites and more likely to use other sites. Twenty-three percent of households share pictures on the computer screen (not online). Sharing pictures in the form of prints and albums remains popular as 43 percent of households still use this method. Nineteen percent of households use their camera phone or smart phone for picture sharing and it would not be surprising to see this increasing in the near future. Other methods of sharing pictures include photo books, MP3 or media players, camera screens, TV screens and digital picture frames.
In terms of ease and speed of uploading images on social networking sites and other photo sites for sharing purposes, most households were indifferent, stating they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Forty percent were satisfied with the sites they used and only 10 percent expressed some dissatisfaction. Ordering photo prints and photo publishing products from social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook does not appear to be very popular at this time, with just one percent of households stating they ordered photo books, posters, calendars, mugs, etc. from such sites.
InfoTrends study examines consumer preferences for publishing channels in Europe
The publishing of newspapers, books, and periodicals was the domain of print fro many centuries. This long established relationship is changing rapidly and drastically, however, with the advent of digital media, displays, and networks. InfoTrends has polled over 1,300 European consumers from five countries to get a better understanding of these dynamics. Additional data on reading and publishing trends complements those insights in a report entitled Consumer Media Preferences – The Future of Publishing Applications.
Consumer’s preferences for publishing channels is the focus of this report. Ralf Schlozer, a Director at InfoTrends, stated, “Technical opportunities have the potential to shift or even disrupt a market, and some drastic changes have already been noticed, such as in the U.S. newspaper market. Technical possibilities form only one part of true innovation, however, and the market has to be receptive to the change. Whether electronic content will replace a huge chunk of print, will be confined to small forward-thinking group of users, or will be offered in a co-existence of both media will depend greatly on the consumer.”
The report discusses changes in reading and communication habits, newspaper publishing, magazine and journal publishing, book publishing, and the rationale behind e-books. In addition to questions regarding media usage, the survey asked questions related to screen reader usage and ownership.
2010 Camera outlook on still sees increase, according to CIPA
The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has announced the outlook on the shipment forecasts for 2010 concerning cameras and related goods by product-type. In 2009, the total shipments of digital cameras reached 105.9 million units, exceeding the performance in 2007 for the third consecutive year. Shipments broke through the 100 million unit mark for the first time since CIPA began compiling statistics in 2007.
Shipments in 2009 decreased 11.6 percent compared to 2008 when shipments exceeded 119 million units; shipments of cameras with built-in lenses (compact digital cameras) decreased 12.8 percent while shipments of digital SLR cameras (with interchangeable lenses) increased by 2.3 percent. Additionally, shipments of interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras reached 16.1 million units in 2009, representing and increase of 2.8 percent from the previous year, and exhibiting solid growth in categories with higher values.
The forecast for shipments of digital cameras in 2010 is 109.9 million units, representing a 3.8 percent increase over this past year. Shipments of digital cameras are forecasted to grow 3 percent, reaching 98.9 million units. Compact digital camera shipments are expected to increase by 3 percent while digital SLR shipments are expected to increase by 11.1 percent. Outside of Japan DSLR shipments are anticipated to grow 12.5 percent, to 9.9 million units. As the market for DSLR cameras continues to expand, the shipment of interchangeable lenses is forecasted to grow to 17.9 million units, an 11.2 percent increase.
Online Holiday spending approaches $20 billion for the season
A leader in measuring the digital world, comscore, reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 41 days of the 2009 holiday season. To-date, $19.9 billion has been spent online this holiday season, marking a 3 percent increase versus the corresponding days last year. The most recent week saw above average online spending growth of 4 percent versus year ago, as two individual days surpassed $800 million in spending. “Green Monday” (Dec. 14) holds the best chance for a single day to reach $900 million in spending this year.
“Although this most recent week of holiday shopping did not produce the first $900 million spending day, we saw above average growth rates including a strong end to the week,” said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. “Monday, December 14 – otherwise known as Green Monday – is likely to produce our heaviest online spending total for the season and represents our best opportunity to finally surpass that elusive $900 million spending threshold. The early part of this upcoming week should bring us the heaviest online spending days of the season before consumers refocus their attention on brick-and-mortar retail locations to finish up their holiday shopping.”
Since comScore began tracking e-commerce spending in 2001, it has witnessed thirteen individual spending days exceed $800 million, each of which has occurred during the past three holiday seasons. The heaviest online spending day on record was Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2008 with $887 million, just barely passing Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 (Cyber Monday) due to a mere rounding error. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 reached $886 million in spending. Of the top ten spending days on record, four have occurred in 2009, four in 2008, and two in 2007.
*Green Monday occurs on the Monday with at least 10 days prior to Christmas and tends to be the heaviest online spending day of the season. In 2008, it was the second heaviest day of the season.
NPD’s holiday survey predicts modest consumer spending
The NPD Group, Inc., Port Washington, N.Y., revealed the results of its annual survey of consumers’ holiday spending intentions. Of those consumers surveyed, 30 percent told NPD they ‘plan to spend less’ this holiday, which was a four point increase over last year’s results. In addition, there was a four point decrease among those who ‘plan to spend about the same’ and those who ‘plan to spend more’ remained constant, at 11 percent.
“That 4 percent increase is certainly a sign of the times. On the other hand, that 4 percent is not as dramatic as it could have been.” says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst, NPD. “I think consumers will be looking for the right gift, rather than the most extravagant or expensive one. That combined with the soft numbers we are up against from holiday last year, and I think we will see growth, albeit a modest 0.5 to 1.5 percent.”
The 0.5 to 1.5 percent growth is what takes us ‘back to the future’ and to holidays past when growth rates of 5 percent or more were unheard of and unexpected. Not only will spending levels go ‘back to the future’ for Holiday 2009, but the kinds of gifts being bought will go back to being more traditional holiday gift items. “The survey results point to a return of more gifts being made of sweaters, fragrances, music, books, movies, and wallets, again,” said Cohen, “We are also seeing make-up and TV’s showing signs of growth. Other standouts are notebooks/netbooks. They have been growing and will continue to grow through the holiday.”
The top ten items consumers plan to buy as gifts, in order, are apparel, toys, movies, books, electronics, accessories, music, video games, fragrances and food. Compared to last year, there was no change in the top five categories, but there is some movement in the bottom five categories. The survey results show some upward movement in consumer purchasing intentions for accessories, music, and fragrances.
The NPD Holiday Survey shows a 20 percent increase among 18 to 24 years olds that say electronics are the ‘gift to purchase’. This goes to show the importance this age group places on electronics, viewing them as necessities rather than luxuries. The multi-year drop for apparel has stabilized. This year, 49 percent of consumers told NPD they intended to buy apparel as a gift, holding steady with last year.
The primary motivator for consumers to purchase this holiday is ‘value’. Value plays a big role in determining what and where to buy, according to 62 percent of survey respondents. Sixty-one percent say they are motivated by a ‘special sale’ and 50 percent by a convenient location.
Cohen says there are a number of variables that could contribute to the outcome of the 2009 holiday retail season. He calls it the ‘X-mas X-Factor’. There was a 3 percent change in the number of consumers saying they will begin their holiday shopping during the Thanksgiving weekend or later. There was an eight percent change in the number of consumers that said they would begin their shopping in early December or at the last minute. “The X-factor here points to a later start for this season’s shopping,” said Cohen. There is also an X-factor for the impact of state of the economy on consumer spending. The survey results indicated that the economy will have a significant effect on holiday spending for 50 percent of consumers. “Perhaps the biggest X-mas X-factor is the overall state of U.S. consumers’ psyche. Will they be feeling frugal or will they have a case of frugal fatigue and unleash some pent-up demand?” says Cohen.
The Knot and OTX announce research and classify new consumer group
Nesties enter a three-to four-year period of wedding planning, building their nest, and getting pregnant, from the moment they become engaged. The study examines these unique circumstances which motivate active spending at a time when lifelong relationships are forged with brands, goods, and services. They are of particular interest to The Knot Inc. because they define the core audience of the company’s trio of lifestage brands: the #1 wedding website TheKnot.com, newlywed brand TheNest.com, and first-time parenting resource TheBump.com.
Nesties lead a very intense lifestyle. They experience constant change as they move through two, if not three, of these lifestyle changes: marriage, nesting and first-time parenthood. Within two years, more than half have experienced at least two of these lifestages. From the everyday necessities to “big ticket” items, Nesties outspend all other female demographics, including 18- to 34-year-old women without partners.
Nesties are typically in charge and have many things to do. They are more likely than their male partners to feel like they have the primary responsibility in household tasks, as well as, caring for the children, other family members and pets, even though most decisions are a joint effort. Nesties remain independent and most feel that they have not given up a lot to make their relationship work. They are financially conscious and the majority cautious about spending money on unnecessary items. More than half of Nesties feel overwhelmed by financial burdens. Nesties are usually planning for a family, as about eighty-percent in the baby group look or had looked forward to becoming a mother and the majority of those in the previous two stages feel the same. Nesties seek emotional support as they are constantly online searching for advice and opinions about their purchases. Convenience along with economic reasons and engagement plans are all reasons for Nesties wanting to move in with their partner. While the environment is important, convenience even trumps going green, as many do not even use energy efficient light bulbs. Nesties are focused on the home. She is setting up the home with the challenge of combining and agreeing on furniture coupled with trying to have the home represent the couple. A need for their own space also develops. The living room emerges as the favorite room, as the home is a place for warmth and entertainment, easily beating out the bedroom.
“This groundbreaking study demonstrates that Nesties, more than any other group their age, are in the market to spend as they settle into new homes and plan for their first baby,” says David Liu, CEO of The Knot Inc. “This is an exciting opportunity for brand marketers because it is now possible to target consumers who have highly predictable purchase behaviors and who will form new and lasting relationships with the brands that meet their needs in these formative and emotional years.”
“We have created a rich, comprehensive database of demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral information that defines Nesties in each of these three lifestages,” says Shelly Zalis, founder and CEO of OTX. “The learning shared here is only a glimpse of the wealth of insights available. Going forward, this syndicated study will engage a similarly wide, deep, and representative sample of Nesties to provide even more invaluable perspectives on their lives not available anywhere else.”
The research was conducted in the U.S. in February 2009 among more than 6,000 18- to 54-year old women (primarily 18 to 34 years old). The study recruited women who are active community members of The Knot, The Nest and The Bump, as well as women from OTX’s industry-leading sample sourcing technology.
For more information on how to purchase all or specific parts of this study, please contact Julanne Schiffer at OTX (http://jschiffer@otxresearch.com).
For more statistics or to speak to Nesties in your area, please contact The Knot Press Office at http://pr@theknot.com. High-resolution photos and visuals can be provided electronically or through the mail.
More than 10 billion photos have been uploaded to Facebook
According to a recent article in TechCrunch, by Erick Schonfeld, Photos is the prominent application on Facebook. Based on data from comScore, more than two-thirds of monthly visitors worldwide either look at or upload photos and more than 10 billion photos have been uploaded to the site.
According to comScore, Facebook appears to be pulling further ahead of competitors. Just a few months back, in September, the top three U.S. competitors, Photobucket, Flickr and Picassa, were running neck-and-neck with Facebook Photos, as measured by unique visitors. By January, the number of monthly U.S. visitors going to Facebook Photos increased by more than 40 percent, increasing the gap between its closest competitors.
Facebook has the advantage in the photo department because this is default photo feature of the largest social networking site in the world. Also, whenever a friend tags a photo with someone’s name, they get notification by email. This is a powerful way of connecting people. This feature, however, has been part of Facebook for a while now. The accelerated growth since September is a result of the Facebook redesign that went into effect and added a Photos tab on everyone’s personal homepage.